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- Tassie cont...
Hello again. We continue our journey round Tasmania... and we have arrived in Hobart and have went to the Museum of Old and New Art... MONA. This is the first item in the museum... can anybody tell what it is? It is 70 plaster casts of females vaginas... A wall of fanny's... and this was the beginning of a weird ride (no pun intended) through the most random museum I have experienced. A fat porsche, egyptian mummy, strobe computer lighting, sex dungeon, the Abbey Road mixing desk from the 60s, and computer poo machine (cover photo for the article), 100 litres of oil, fish in a bowl with a knife on a chair... the list goes on but those were the highlights (highlights seems the wrong choice of word...). It was an experience and we sorted ourselves after with beer at the Cascade Brewery, the oldest in Tasmania. Coincidentally, our music taste has taken a more eclectic shift as song to song goes by as we eat up the miles. Do: Luke Combs - Going Going Gone We both realised we like country music and is ideal for campervanning. This song came to my head because the issue with travelling is you find a place but you carry on to the next place... it's like a fleeting crush or love... if you have experienced that then you will feel all that what Luke has to say from this song. Re: The Rattlin' Bog An irish classic... read the lyrics and see if you can sing along... Mi: Limp Bizkit - Break Stuff Not going to lie this Sean was surprised that this was a request of mine after listening to Foo Fighters and Metallica. I first heard of Limp Bizkit after the documentary of Woodstock 99' on Netflix... this is the song was the managers of the festival asked Limp to not play and they declined... its also a feeling I felt in the MONA museum... When is there too much in a museum? My answer was MONA had too much and its okay to feel that...
- Sean and the two Celtic convicts trip round Van Diemans
Hello. This is Sean... Sean is from Youghal, Ireland We met in Melbourne and hit it off and decided to go for a trip round Tasmania. The trip has been wild full of ups, downs, twisty lefts and right round one of the most spectacular places in the world. We have been learning about the migration both through choice and through force where British and Irish convicts were moved to the other side of the world to start building things to colonise and develop Tasmania (formerly Van Diemans Land) and Australia. This week both of us have been putting on a lot of our home countries songs and educating each other about each others music from respective celtic countries along with of the local ones to try and get us in the mood. These are three songs which both of us have recommended. Do: G'Day G'Day - Slim Dusty This weeks recommendations starts with an Aussie country number that has been played numerous times in the camper. Catchy number Re: N17 - The Saw Doctors My mum and dad were coincidently Saw Doctors fans and I played this one for Sean and he said that he frequently drived the N17 and thus why it's a recommendation. Mi: Adagio for Strings - Tiesto Remix In the camper I have been teaching Sean the basics of conducting. We started with some Beethoven but he enjoys the original Adagio for Strings. I said it was a bit hard to conduct so he suggested the Tiesto Remix. This was played a number of times.
- Jordan and the car journey from Halls Gap to Southern Cross
Do: Kia Mau Ki To Ukaipo/ Don't Forget Your Roots - SIX60 I was on the drive home from Grampians National Park Victoria with a really nice guy from USA called Jordan who gave me a lift back to Melbourne. The first song on his playlist was this. This is a traditional Polynesian/Maori song with a Jamaican reggae groove to it with the importance on not forgetting your roots. We talked about our specific trips to the Waitangi treaty ground on the North Island of New Zealand. Both of us had been there and participated in the formal cultural performances of the Maori tribe and had the traditional Hangi after. Maori culture speaks of your experiences as being written into the story of the culture and your main story is your roots... your family. Re: Hello! - Book of Mormon For those who know me... I am a big fan of Book of Mormon and have been rabbiting on about it for a good wee while now. In the same car journey we also talked about musicals and our collective love of Book of Mormon and had a sing song. A belter of an experience where two people... as of 12 hours ago didn't know each other at all, in a rental car giving it our all in of a share musical theatre favourite. Mi: Walk with Jesus - Consumed with Fire After this we started speaking about religion... and also family roots. Jordan was Jewish and has family in Israel but is disconnected from religion. I was talking about my experience with Jesus. We share so many traditions... over a 1000 pages worth... but we both agreed our culture has strayed away from the very things that have built it to where it is now. This journey was really frutiful and wholesome... deep and comedic and even included a McDonalds stop, Aboriginal Art (cover photo). It covered a lot of things in 2 hours and I feel we were more complete people after it. And all of this was spurred on after a coffee stop where the radio blurted out this song. Jesus was a traveller. He kept moving and there is an importance on movement, physically, spiritually and mentally and I think all three happened in this short journey... Amen. Cheers Jordan!
- Grooving towards a new future
Do: Flight Facilities - Foreign Language This week I have been hooked by this song, it's not classical but I don't care. I love the samples in this piece. Sounds very similar to Jamiroquai but not at the same time. Syncopation in the guitar and the chorus for some reason to me is infectious (off beat rhythm). What makes this piece so groovy? Is it the effects? Let me know what you think... Re: Inver (feat. Tomas Callister) - Mike Vass This week I have been doing some journaling on my trip in the Grampian National Park in Victoria Australia. I have been thinking a lot about a future family to have and a potential partner to do life with. I don't know this piece just gives me optimism for potential new life when I return home. Mi: Jireh - Elevation Worship Building on from last week Jehovah Jireh was a name for God... I have been a big fan of Elevation Worship music the last few weeks. Jireh means "to see" or "to provide". With this new found info... I suppose he... or whatever spirit... provides peace. I love in the intensity of the section "I'm already loved... more than I can imagine..." There is a massive loneliness pandemic in this world but with this mindset and belief. Everybody is already loved whether they like it or not... Knowing somebody that loves you before you do anything... having a relationship with that is powerful... probably more powerful than anything and that sentiment can be found in this song.
- Gratitude for movement, new life in the month of May
Do: Mahler's Resurrection Rumba - Joachim Horsley This week I have been back to Melbourne or where I recently saw a Mahler Symphony. With the thought of this past month and new life coming in Spring, I remembered this arrangement of the first movement of Mahler's Second Symphony. Its got a rumba feeling to it. Just enjoy and let you body move to it. Re: Maymorning - Runrig This is the first song I think of every May. From a band in Scotland known as Runrig they are from the Western Isles. For those wanting to feel connected to Scotland in Rock song... this is for you. "All around there's new life rising from the winter fields". Maybe you are practicing gratitude for life, just look around and realise how lucky we have it in Scotland. It is one of the prettiest countries in the world! Mi: Jehovah - Elevation Worship (feat. Chris Brown) As I am finding our about faith and the bible. I have realised there are more than one name for God: Adonai, Jehovah, Yahweh... I have been writing three things that I am grateful for and praying/meditating on these at night before I go to sleep. When the chorus of this piece comes in I have the same feeling of gratitude towards life and existence. All three pieces of this week do that for me. Gratitude from the songs above... Do: Ability to move, ability of intelligence... Re: New plants, crops, longer sunlight... Mi: To breathe, to see, ability to love...
- Time for peace, moving onwards... but together
Do: Clair de Lune - Debussy Been somewhere new and peaceful? It's strange but this piece came up in conversation as a Electronic Dance Music Remix but needed to go and listen to the original. I just think of a lullaby or an afternoon nap in the middle of a park and it's absolutely empty. Peace is a rare commodity these days so maybe just take 5 minutes to listen an experience some of what Debussy has to say with Clair de Lune... Re: Adelaide's - Gnoss The photo of this post is on the Coorong Beach in South Australia. I drove on the beach in late Sunset towards Adelaide and is one of the most fun experiences and calming experiences I have ever had. I feel this song doesn't really go anywhere just keeps moving and I feel like it captures the feeling best and coincidentally its going to Adelaide. Mi: God Only Knows - for KING & COUNTRY I was recommended these guys this past week. What does this song tell you?
- Spring: Rising of things anew despite still being an idiot
Do: The Four Seasons - Spring Spring is amongst us (albeit still warmer in Melbourne and its Autumn) and went through the Botanical Gardens in Melbourne this week and it reminded me the sprouting of new life and naturally thought of a piece Vivaldi Four Seasons and Nigel Kennedy. I did however find a new version of the first movement created by Nigel and the Orchestra of Life. What does Spring mean to you? Re: Eejit - Blazin' Fiddles I went travelling thinking I was quite smart... I have come to the conclusion half way through that I am an absolute idiot... thus this next song. It's important to give yourself grace and laugh it off which I am doing and this first song I love as its supremely happy even though being an Eejit. The three songs are: Dashing White Eejit Wes And Maggie’s Ceilidh Croft The Big (then back to Eejit) Mi: All Things Rise - Vineyard Worship Calming down a bit... I just think of looking round in a sunny morning looking at the countryside when listening to this song. Gratitude is the weapon for anxiety... and well with a lot of bad things happening at the moment... we might as well be grateful for what is around us... What are you grateful for?
- Anticipation for the Theatre, Boat & Sundays
Do: Marriage of Figaro - Mozart For those who don't know this piece is played at the start of the Opera "Marriage of Figaro" by Mozart. I don't know Italian... I don't understand the majority of Opera, but this piece to me gives a glimpse of what going to the Opera would have been like. Imagine, dressing up, tuxedos and dresses, off to the Opera tonight. Excited and in a flurry to get to your seat before the curtains come up. I get the same feel when I go and see a Musical, or Film, but even the theatrics of going to an intense football match. Where does this piece take you to? Re: Boat in the Morning - Mec Lir I grew up close to St Andrews in Scotland. This piece feels like the when I was young getting to the beach and out into the water. Sunny morning, flat calm water, blue sky and off we go. This piece is different to as it has, fiddle, synthesizer, bass guitar. Mi: Praise - Elevation Worship My original perception of Church music was that it is old and boring. Church music nowadays has changed and certainly hit a chord (terrible pun) with me. I listen to this piece and my attitude changes in what Sunday music should be and could be... This gets me moving. Does it give you anything? #doremi #123 #musicalmondays #scotland #music #classical #traditional #god #jesus
- Farmland, B Road driving in Sunshine...
I subscribe to James Clears mailing list called 1,2,3. It's great! However I can't provide that level of expertise in those fields. However I am a Jack of all trades when listening to music. I have a bit of an eclectic taste in music so here is some of what I have been listening to recently. Here is three suggestions of Music to listen to away from the chart and big genres and my idea would be to recommend once a week like a Musical Monday. Classical Traditional Sacred Like The Sound of Music - "Do a deer a female deer..." Music notes can be noted as point 1,2,3 but are known as Do, Re & Mi. So! Here is the start of my musical newsletter called Do, Re Mi.... Do: Beethoven 6th Symphony 1st Movement Spring is among us... new life is starting. Travelling through the countryside seeing new things is lovely to see and seeing new life both plant and animal wise, there is a sense of wonder. This movement is titled: Awakening of cheerful feelings on arrival in the countryside Let yourself imagine driving through the countryside as this piece does the painting for you. https://www.instagram.com/reel/CynXq0QNUlz/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Re: The Winning Bid - Rory Matheson & Graham Rorie I love listening to this piece early morning in the car on the way to the golf. Let yourself feel the excitement as you are on a B road somewhere off the track away from the central belt. Where are you? Mi: GOOD DAY - Forrest Frank I used to think Christian music was dull. However Christian songs that are out these days come in all different genres. You may have heard of this song in the charts but it's actually a song about God. What do you think? Enjoy listening
- Rivers, Mountains & the Highlands
Do: The Blue Danube - Johann Strauss II This piece is about the River the Blue Danube. This is the second longest river in Europe with over 2,850 km. The Danube flows through central and southeast Europe, covering ten countries, namely Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, and Moldova. As the different sections are played, maybe imagine different countries that it rolls through. If you are walking/driving through a river nearby... think of the journey the water has went on... Re: Deep Blue - Imar Continuing the blue theme... Deep Blue, I always imagine a shiny new day with a river beside it. First tune is the excitement of whatever you are doing as it is happy but also intense. Intensity continues but is much more serious like cloud cover has come over the the sunny day. The third tune is when you burst back into sunlight on your travels. Imar are a five piece band, intense and fast tunes. Mi: Highlands (Song of Ascent) - Hillsong Listen to this piece outside. What is it telling you? Could be nothing and thats fine. But for some it might just give you a picture or a message.
- What the Hell is Faith?
For a number of years, I have had this internal battle with myself over a number of issues: Burnt out or Lazy? Passive or Respectful? Self respecting or selfish? Stressed or am i too easily stressed? Overthinking or not thinking enough? I am good enough or needing to improve? The worlds fault or my fault? Ego or genuine belief? Planned enough or not planned enough? Fixed mindset? As a result of this I have been hooked on Self improvement podcasts, Youtube videos etc on topic or meta topics such as hustling, get better, be better, be the difference, change you and you will change the world sort of things... I have actually overwhelmed myself going through all of this in a desperate need/longing to find peace within myself... and for my thoughts to calm down. I tried mindfulness, going to the gym, CBT, counselling etc, but for some reason nothing was working... This has been exhausting and also a bit chaotic... some work in parts of it but what I needed to do was take a leap of faith. Get out of my comfort zone. This is a complex issue as why this was the answer and this article in by no way or shape is supposed to be a victim "oh poor you" article. I don't want it to be that, I would prefer it to be something to either inspire, share and challenge somebody so we are going to keep it that way. The only thing however - and I would say i'm still in this process - that gave me an opening to the path I am on however... is not the action of going travelling... but understanding what faith means. What the Hell is faith? In our secularised world today, people don't talk about what they believe in. It's almost taboo certainly in my perspective. The more I have began to understand what faith means to me... or dare I say... What I believe?... the more I have seen a positive change in me and a possible way out of my internal conflict. The possibility of a route out, or a way towards peace is a slightly better answer... I decided to try this out and ask a few people close to me and have also asked some travellers what they believe... "What do you believe?" The vast majority of people don't have an answer to this question. I leave it open ended and give people the opportunity to take the question in anyway they want. On the rare occasion somebody has had answer, it has had depth and that person I can tell just by having the conversation with each other... has their shit together so to speak. I know what they believe, but even better... THEY know what they believe and are acting in that fashion... So the question has been for me... What the Hell do I believe? What is faith? I will tackle the second one first... and strangely enough I found the answer in Steve Harvey: "Faith is the belief in things you cannot see" - Steve Harvey Faith is the belief in things you cannot see... the things in your heart and your imagination... there is a story to them and a willingness to see them but they are not yet seen... they are a possibility to live into. I always thought faith was a religious word however when I heard this... it isn't at all. Its the same as putting your trust in somebody fulfilling a specific favour. It's not happened yet but you have FAITH that it will. This for me was a game changer... but also that the fact it wasn't a religious term... E.g. I have faith in people staying on the correct side of the road when driving, before setting out on the road... thats a normal thing. I have faith that people won't stab me in a new city... thats a normal thing... These are normal things and about What do I believe? This the more apparent I have read and watched videos is the reason why people follow religion... FULL DISCLOSURE: I got baptised about a year ago. I am still amazed I did and still know I have questions... however I have a camp I stand in now... I believe in Jesus... however what the HELL does that mean? This has taken me a year to articulate what this means... and comes down to this statement "I believe in Jesus being the Son of God who died and rose again for me. Because of this I follow what he taught and said." Why do I believe in Jesus? Born Teachings Die Rose again If you were to do one in thing in your life, could I ask that try to answer these four questions... either way is acceptable but you need to know precisely what you believe to have happened in this guys life. An maybe it just might change everything else in your life and I believe either way. I have faith in this or otherwise I wouldn't have faith in anything... The meaning of the word confidence comes from latin word "Confidere" = To have trust/faith
- The local town with Appalachian Spring Suite
Appalachian was one of Copland's most famous pieces about the Appalachian Mountains in America This piece is done in chunks. The setting of the scene: We are in beautiful Appalachia/Alps/Highlands/ Himalaya years ago before roads and electricity was invented. Imagine the music playing as sun rises… Imagine the flowers, the animals, old ranch houses Life is Simple as the music. Door opens: Excitement! It’s a new day! The village is awakening... Off to work we go. Off to the farm, are joining. Barley, lambing, milk the cows. Off we go. Second section: The woman are getting the kids ready for school… Kids, don’t want to… but the mother is a calming influence (flute) and things calm down... NEW SCENE: Introduced to the priest. The priest is walking the neighbourhood, the first person responds saying all is good, we hear it twice but the third person says (sad music) things are not good... Somebody in the family is dying and opening up to the priest. Priest responds with comforting words. New day: Its the weekend... Everybody is getting prepared for the village weekly dance. We hear a number of dances. The line dance, group dance, partner dance that’s faster. As the sections change hear the different dances. What are the dance moves? How many are there? Love scene: A young couple that danced together have fallen in love. A night of passion ensues and then calms as they lay together in peace and love. Next day: The couple get up and are smitten, running outside hand in hand through the fields. They go through a busy village market. Its exciting! What else are they doing!? Slow section: They day is ending. We are in love, taking the girl home and the sun is setting... We can create a life here and isn’t this beautiful. You are recapping the special day you have had together in your mind as you go home. Words to the music: 'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free, 'Tis the gift to come down where I ought to be; And when we find ourselves in the place just right, 'Twill be in the valley of love and delight. When true simplicity is gained, To bow and to bend we shan't be ashamed; to turn, turn, will be my delight. Till by turning, turning we come round right. x6 Prayer before bed then finally off to sleep. Amen Last section: All is well and at peace at the end of the day as we drift off to sleep. Life is good. Life is Simple. It’s a Gift to be Simple! I would like you to listen to the music and imagine going through the different scenes and the layout of the village...? AND What are you grateful for? Name 3 things you are grateful for? https://www.instagram.com/reel/CkqbuoBLaM2/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== https://youtu.be/Rvik4JFWrts?si=z80xdTSGMyxtRAMK